L4artiste -When photography becomes a means of cultural empowerment

Awarded as Instagram “Account of the Year” at the Maroc Web Awards, the creative photographer behind L4artiste, aims to elevate the Moroccan culture and to bring all the prejudices to an end. How? Through his art.

As I firmly believe that artists have a great power to change or influence any existing condition, I got curious and wanted to discover more about Ismail.

1. Tell me more about yourself and your background.
I’m Ismail Zaidy, 21 years old, I come from Morocco. I study at the FSJES Marrakech. Member of the Moroccan Instagram community and passionate about art in all its forms.2. When did you take your first photo?
It was one year ago during Ramadan which is the most sacred month of the year in Islamic culture. During Ramadan, Muslims fast, abstain from pleasures and pray to become closer to God. It is also a time for families to gather and celebrate. In this photo I want to thank God.

3. How did you improve and develop your photography?
I always have a camera with me, so I shoot everyday and practice new techniques, it is important knowing the rules, but sometimes breaking them too! It is a neverending learning process, that needs patience and dedication.

4. What do you want to convey and narrate with your works?
My main purpose is to share and make known our culture and try to change the negative preconceptions that people have about Morocco. It is a wonderful country, but most of all, people are generous and love the human being.

5. What is the role of photography in your opinion?
Images are much more than a simple record. Photography speaks to the best and most intimate part of our nature – the desire to share what we think is beautiful and interesting with the others. Millions of people share their personal lives, passions and sometimes quirky and odd things. Our images can involve a whole world of strangers in our lives.

6. How does your culture influence your photography?
My culture is my main inspiration under all aspects.

7. For what would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as a person who makes everyone smile even in the toughest moments, someone who always spreads love and joy, someone who is a source of inspiration and motivation for many people, someone who lives life at its fullest, someone whom friends, family and loved ones can always rely on, someone who can give company and soothes the mind of lonely souls when they need it the most.